fuel your life

Monthly Archives: February 2013

I had a recipe all ready to go for you today, but somehow managed to lose the picture!! I guess I know what I’ll be making for lunch/dinner sometime this weekend J And what you’ll be anticipating reading next week!

So HUGE change of pace for today. What did you want to be as a child? Was it an astronaut? A teacher? A doctor? A chef? A writer? Me too!! Among many, many other things. Somewhere along the way, we are told to chose one, stick with, don’t change, be happy, make money, and don’t ask questions. Sometimes that works. For me, it didn’t. Today I’d like to tell you the longer version of how The House of Healthy came to be. How I ended up in the holistic health field.

Most of my life, I would tell people I wanted to be a teacher and a writer. Starting in the first grade, this would be my answer. I wanted to write books and teach first grade. I eventually went to college with this idea. Truthfully though, I didn’t want to do it. I was bored in my classes, bored when I volunteered in the schools, and feeling very, well, bored. You see, I realized I didn’t want to be a teacher, but this is what most people in my women in my family did. This is what I knew how to do. I understood the basis behind it, how to get a job, and how to work with kids.

Eventually, I changed a little bit. I decided to go for Speech Therapy, not because I had a passion for it, but because it was familiar – it was still in the school. I started my journey and actually liked it for awhile. I realized you could work in many fields and was told it was a solid career choice. I could make money, work in different settings, and help people.

I continued on to graduate school for Speech Therapy. In my first semester, I realized I wasn’t in love with my career path. I realized that I might not actually like my major. But I was told to stick with it. I would love it once I graduated on my own.

It was during this time that I started to become interested in nutrition and holistic health. A year before graduate school, I developed difficulty with milk. Which led me to try alternatives. From here, I researched more into alternative health. This led to research into nutrition and fitness. And this of course led to yoga. And eventually to where I am now.

You see, when I graduated, I started working. I went into many, many different fields. I had panic attacks at home. I cried a lot. I got grumpy. I felt tired, impassioned, and stuck in a rut. I knew deep down that I didn’t like what I was doing. I didn’t feel that I was really helping people in the way I was meant to. I was helping people AFTER they became sick. I was helping them live, or even helping them heal for good. I was patching them up. I was billing insurance and making money for the facilities (school, hospital, and nursing homes alike). That is all I felt I was doing. I didn’t feel that people really truly cared. I know this will make some people angry, but this is how I felt.

Then I found yoga. I found my training. I taught a class to a friend and I knew – this is what I’m meant to do. I felt happy. I felt at peace. I felt light. And I felt that I was truly helping someone and making a difference. I continued to love nutrition and my knowledge of healthy food and lifestyle grew.

Last year, I made the decision to try my best to do this as my “job”. To make this my life. It wasn’t easy. It wasn’t always smiles and happiness. But it felt right. I know deep down, it is all worth it. And now, all these years later, in a different form, I am a teacher and a writer.

You see – the most important thing in this world is to live your purpose. Whatever it may be. When we are out of tune with our purpose, we stop being us. We stop being who we truly are. We start to live life negatively, rather than positively. When we love what we do, we are less stressed, we treat ourselves well, and we radiate good energy. It is one of the keys to true lifelong health.

Do you love what you do? What steps have you taken, or are you taking, to love your life? What is holding you back? Leave a comment below and we can discuss.

Look for more on this topic on the blog as well as in the weekly newsletter. If you haven’t yet, subscribe! You don’t want to miss out on these newsletter only weekly tips and discussion.

Coming up tomorrow: Another addition to the DIY series! It’s going to be a good, “juicy” one, hint hint 😉 And if you missed it, check out the Energy Flow workouts and subscribe to the houseofhealthy on YouTube!

Happy Workout Wednesday to you! I have got a great mind-body exercise for you today. It sculpts, it lengthens, and it tones. This exercise can really change your body. “What is it?” you ask. Well, it’s not magic. But it is Barre – specifically Energy Flow Barre.

Barre workouts are considered to be in the mind-body realm of exercise, because you have to concentrate so much on what you are doing, it doesn’t leave much time for the mind to wonder. The concentration is on the deep connections between all parts of the body from the superficial, to the large muscles, down to the connective tissue. Barre rocks!

Now I know what you are thinking – is this just another ballet routine? Trust me, it’s not. And it’s also not an easy, effortless exercise. It’s hard work that is made to look easy. In Energy Flow Barre, you start with dynamic ranges of motion to warm up, and then head over to the barre (aka back of a chair) to work deeper into the muscles. These small ranges of motion, with precise alignment, work the body fast, and create long, strong muscles. Stop by YouTube and give it a try. All you need is you, a chair, and a mat. Consider this week the introduction – I promise a longer routine in the future 🙂 While you’re at it – check out the Energy Flow workout from last week and subscribe to the House of Healthy Channel.

What is your favorite type of mind-body exercise? Have you tried Barre before? Let me know in the comments below.

Remember! If you haven’t already, sign up for the House of Healthy newsletter. Each week, I’ll send you a recap of the posts (in case you missed one), along with weekly wellness tips, top health blogs and updates, events, packages/services, and more. The link is at the top of the page. What are you waiting for?

The other night, my sister texted me to let me know she was making vegetarian tacos for dinner. Which is awesoem for two reasons:

1) She isn’t even vegetarian! But she does make veggie meals once in awhile. Shes dabbling in it 😉

2) It reminded me – I hadn’t made those in forever! And I absolutely love them. Plus, I have a few secrets up my sleeve when I make them.

I like to forgo the normal taco seasoning and fake-meat crumbles, and use a few special, secret ingredients. The secret: chickpeas!! Chickpeas, aka garbanzo beans, make the perfect base for a meaty textured dish AND they are full of wonderful, veggie protein. This is one of my recipes; chock full of protein and spice. It’s super easy, and sure to please even the non-vegheads in your life.

Chickpea Tacos with Homemade Seasoning:

This serves about 2-3 people, depending on your portions sizes and you will power for seconds…thirds…

1 can chickpeas

1 avocado

4 leaves romaine lettuce

1 small tomato

1 lime (for juice)

¼ onion (your choice!)

Salsa as desired

2-4 Brown Rice wraps

2-3 tbsp Chili powder

1tsp cayenne

1tsp paprika

½ tsp cumin

2 tbsp Nutritional Yeast

1 tsp salt (more or less as you prefer)

¼ cup water

*optional daiya cheese

Drain and rinse can of chickpeas. Pulse in a blender until lightly chopped – leave them in a “crumbled meat” texture. Place in a pan on the stove over medium heat. Add seasonings and water. Stir together until incorporated. Adjust seasonings as needed. Cook until heated through, about 5 minutes. *I also sprinkled some daiya cheese on mine.

Place on a warm wrap and top with avocado, salsa, tomatoes, onions, and any other veggies you like!

Enjoy this one. It’s spicy, salty, and simple. Best combination around 😉

What is your favorite “meat: to use in your veggie tacos? What kind of spices do you like? Leave a comment below – I’d love to hear your ideas.

Also, check out the link near the top of the page…You can now sign up for the House of healthy newsletter! Woot woot! All the good stuff sent straight to your inbox. No spam. Just fun, healthy updates. You’ll get the inside scoop on articles and events, as well as some super healthy tips and secrets. Signup today! You don’t want to miss out J

Remember, tomorrow is workout Wednesday. I’ve got a great barre class for you to sculpt, burn, and feel fabulous!

One of the hardest parts of going green is changing the foods you eat. Food can be a HUGE emotional trigger for many people and with so many choices and differing opinions on what is truly healthy, is can seem overwhelming. Luckily, when given the right tools, it can also be one of the easiest transitions.

1) Replace as you go: The best way to start is to not get overwhelmed with a complete overhaul. Simply start by replacing things when you run out of them. Search for products that are healthier versions of your current staples.

2) Organic is king: Look for organic ingredients, even if it is still a packaged food. Usually, if it is labeled organic, it is less processed and contains less preservatives and chemicals than the mainstream brand. Remember, the fewer ingredients the better.

3) Produce: There are several great tools and lists for which produce to always buy organic, and which ones you can opt for conventional (aka produce sprayed with pesticides and herbicides). For me, the best way is to look at the ones I use the most. If I’ll be consuming them more, then I will buy them organically grown.

4) Cut back on dairy: I know this is a touchy subject, because milk is seen the King of Nutrition, but honestly, it’s not. I’ll get into this in more detail at another time, but for now try these two approaches: If you do consume dairy, look for milk from cows with grass-fed, organic feed and no hormones or antibiotics given. This way, if you are eating and drinking dairy, you are cutting back on the amount of extra additives you consume. Also, give a milk alternative a try: almond, coconut, rice, and soy are all delicious options.

5) All-natural meat: As for meat, also consider cutting back. Our intestinal systems are not made for processing large amounts of meat, and neither are our hearts. If you do continue to eat meat, again, look for no hormones, no antibiotics, and grass-fed animals. For chickens, look for “free range”, with ample space to roam. And of course, go organic with your meat.

Start simple. Replace when you run out. Try organic versions of your pantry staples. Buy organic in your dairy, meat, and most frequently used produce. Start small for big changes. You don’t have to run out to the big, scary health food store (or as I call it, “The Happiest Place on Earth” ;)). Check your regular grocery store and then head over to the health food store for the rest of your essentials.

For more information, feel free to email me at houseofhealthy@yahoo.com. I offer store navigations as well “Green Pantry Detoxes”. And of course, happy eating to you!

I love healthy, hearty energy bars with simple ingredients. It great to be able to grab a bar and head out the door, knowing that know matter where my day takes me, I’ll have a healthy snack on hand until I can make it home for a meal. I also love to grab one in the morning with my juice if I know I’ll be out for awhile or don’t have a lot of time to make oatmeal or even toast.

My favorite flavor so far is apple cinnamon. It tastes just like apple pie! These bars contain just 4 ingredients and are super easy to make. The best part – they are sweet with absolutely no added or artificial sugar. Just simple sweetness from the apples and dates.

DIY Apple Cinnamon Energy Bars (aka Larabars!)

Recipe adapted from Larabar

1 cup Raw almonds, soaked for 20 minutes

1 dehydrated apple, or 1 package dried apple slices (soft)

10 pitted dates (the big ones, medjool)

1-2 tsp cinnamon (to taste)

If you are dehydrating your own apple – cut into thin rings and dehydrate approximately 6 hours unitl the rings are slightly hard. *You can also use store bought dried apple slices if you don’t own a dehydrator or are short on time. Just look for one’s with minimal to no preservatives. *

Soak almonds in a bowl of water for at least 20 minutes to soften. After 20 minutes and after apples are dehydrated, add all ingredients into a high speed blender or food processor. Blend until incorporated, but allow the almonds to stay a bit chunky.

Spread onto a piece of parchment paper. Top with another piece and roll out into a square shape. You can also press into a bread pan if available (I only have one and it was filled with fudge ;)). Transfer into a freezer safe pan and press top flat. Remove top piece of parchment. Cut into 1 inch thick pieces (lengthwise). Place in freezer for about 1 hour, until firm. Transfer to individual bags or containers and store in fridge until ready to grab-n-go!

Enjoy these super delicious pieces of pure, raw energy! What other flavors would you want to try? Leave a comment below and let me know.

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Meet Jessi Andricks!

Hi! I'm Jessi Andricks, the founder of The House of Healthy. My passion is helping people regain their health and energy through whole, plant-based food; mind-body fitness; and holistic lifestyle habits. I offer one-on one, group, and online health coaching services. Check out my recipes and workouts and sign up for the weekly newsletter, where I feature even more healthy living tips and programs. My goal is to help you to live the happy, healthy life you deserve!